Senate to Journalists: Educate Nigerians on Our Standing Rules – Natasha Case Cited

To avoid misconceptions surrounding disciplinary actions against any senator during plenary, the Senate on Wednesday urged journalists to enlighten Nigerians on its standing rules.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), gave the charge at a one-day capacity-building workshop organized for members of the Senate Press Corps.

He explained that one of the critical provisions Nigerians must be aware of is Section 6(1) of the Senate Standing Rules, which empowers the Senate President to assign or reassign seats to senators whenever necessary.

Recalling the controversy involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate earlier in February, Adaramodu noted that disobedience to laid-down rules often leads to needless crises.

“Journalists, like lawmakers, should be conversant with the standing rules so that when anyone fails to comply—whether in the Senate or the House of Representatives—you can properly inform the public in your reports,” he said.

Citing an example, Adaramodu explained: “If you are assigned seat number 10 but choose to sit on seat number 13, you will not be recognized by the Senate President. If you insist on recognition, conflict will surely arise. Seats are not permanent, which is why the President of the Senate, under Rule 6(1), can re-allocate them at any time.”

He stressed that the National Assembly operates under laws and not as a “banana republic,” emphasizing the need for both lawmakers and citizens to respect parliamentary rules.

“Parliamentary reporters covering the Senate are expected to be well-informed, even as knowledgeable as lawmakers themselves—if not more—so that Nigerians can be properly educated,” he added.